Last witness testifies against Sharif Family in Avenfield case

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court here on Monday recorded testimony of another witness, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Operations Director General Zahir Shah, against former premier Nawaz Sharif and members of his family in the Avenfield case.

Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir recorded statement of the witness, after which defence lawyer Khawaja Haris began cross-examining him.

The witness submitted new documents about the Avenfield properties’ ownership, bills and tax record which he said were received in response to letters written to the UK authorities for mutual legal assistance (MLA).

Earlier today, Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz appeared before the court after their return from London.

The duo wanted to stay put in the UK to take care of ailing Begum Kulsoom Nawaz undergoing cancer treatment, but had to return after denial of exemption from court appearance.

The judge adjourned hearing of the Avenfield properties and Flagship references till 2:00pm today due to the absence of prosecution witness Wajid Zia, head of the Joint Investigation Team that probed the Sharifs’ offshore properties.

The judge, meanwhile, allowed Sharif and his daughter to leave the court. He put off hearing of Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference till 11:00 am tomorrow.

On April 17, Advocate Amjad Pervez, the counsel of Maryam and her spouse, completed cross-examination of prosecution witness Wajid Zia in the Avenfield case.

After which, the court set April 23 for JIT head to appear for testimony in Al Azizia Steel Mills reference.

Nawaz and his sons – Hussain and Hasan – have been named in all three references whereas his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt Safdar have been nominated in the Avenfield reference only.

As per Avenfield Properties reference, Sharif, his brood and his son-in-law had purchased four flats in Park Lane, UK, without legitimate financial means. However, the former premier and his family members have consistently claimed that they were legally gained.